Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine discovered that individual nerve cells control the release of dopamine, a key player in motivation and movement. The finding challenges traditional views on dopamine regulation and provides new insights into Parkinson's disease.
A recent survey of Japanese consumers found that they are more likely to be worried about the use of gene-editing techniques on livestock than on plants. The researchers believe that this may be due to humans feeling closer to animals than plants, leading to stronger moral and taxonomic distinctions.
An international team of researchers is working on creating bactericidal surfaces inspired by natural materials like insect wings and lotus leaves. These features can be used to kill bacteria and reduce infection rates in medical implants.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology has published a new clinical practice guideline to reduce opioid use disorder risks. The guideline focuses on multimodal analgesia and judicious use of opioids, aiming to improve postoperative pain control while minimizing the risk of chronic opioid use.
The team successfully controlled spin defects in a layered crystal of boron nitride, even at room temperature. This achievement opens up new avenues for precise measurements of local electromagnetic fields, with potential applications in medicine, navigation, and information technology.
Studies found that surgeries performed on Thursdays or Fridays result in mean lengths of stay varying 20-30% compared to Mondays or Tuesdays. Total costs also vary, with surgical costs being about 20% higher for patients treated on Friday and costs 24% higher when discharged late in the week.
Two close quasar pairs are found in distant merging galaxies, separated by just over 10,000 light-years. This discovery provides crucial insight into the existence of supermassive black hole pairs and galaxy mergers in the early Universe.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have deciphered the composition and function of sea urchin microbiomes, revealing significant differences between red and purple species and habitats. The study suggests that sea urchins may be able to produce their own food using microbes in their guts.
Researchers at UC Riverside developed a technique to capture cell-free DNA from fluid samples using an electric charge, making it easier to detect and diagnose cancer. The glass nanopore system can accumulate DNA near the surface, enhancing signal-to-noise ratio and potentially detecting mini lipid-based droplets released by tumors.
Cells from depressed individuals have higher rates of methylation at specific DNA sites, accelerating their cellular age by approximately two years compared to healthy controls. This accelerated aging is linked to increased mortality risk, as measured by the GrimAge clock.
Researchers at LMU München found that diffusiophoresis can facilitate directed particle transport in cells, even without motor proteins. The mechanism sorts particles by size and has implications for understanding cellular processes and potential applications in artificial minimal cells.
The Pyrenean Ibex's decline was driven by a combination of hunting and infectious diseases, which further reduced its already low genetic diversity. The species' eventual extinction highlights the importance of historical biological collections for genetic analyses of extinct species.
A new study published by Harvard University's GenderSci Lab found that Black women are dying from COVID-19 at significantly higher rates than white men and other racial/ethnic groups. The study also revealed a stark disparity between Black women and white women, with mortality rates over three times higher.
A new study found COVID-19 restrictions significantly impacted bean production, threatening to reverse gains made in achieving no poverty and zero hunger. The pandemic exacerbated existing insecurities in food systems, with poor communities particularly affected by border closures, lockdowns, and reduced access to inputs and finance.
The American Gastroenterological Association has released new clinical guidelines recommending the use of intragastric balloons for patients with obesity who have not been able to lose weight with traditional strategies. The treatment is most successful when combined with lifestyle modifications and pharmacological agents, and can be u...
The study estimates the cumulative number of child deaths experienced by mothers between 20 and 49 years old in 170 countries. Mothers in select African countries are significantly more likely to have lost a child, with some experiencing up to 30 times more child deaths than those in high-income countries.
The Bertarelli Rare Cancers Fund has awarded over $9 million in grants to nine teams representing 19 lead investigators, advancing research into rare cancers that affect tens of thousands of patients annually. The fund aims to improve detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of rare cancers through multidisciplinary collaborations.
Researchers at Skoltech have designed and synthesized new compounds that can serve as catholytes and anolytes for organic redox flow batteries, offering high cell voltage, solubility, and electrochemical properties. The materials have been tested for scalability and performance in large-scale energy storage applications.
A new study has revealed high levels of air pollution in Kinshasa and Brazzaville, two major cities in sub-Saharan Africa. PM2.5 concentrations were found to be more than four times higher than World Health Organization guidelines, posing significant health risks.
A new species of parasitic cuckoo wasp was discovered in Norway based on its unique use of pheromones. The researchers were able to distinguish between two closely related species by analyzing the chemical language used by the wasps.
Researchers have developed a zeolite-based nanocatalyst that achieves 2.5-times higher ammonia decomposition performance than conventional commercial catalysts while using only 40% of ruthenium metal. This new catalyst overcomes stability issues and enables large-capacity hydrogen transport via ammonia decomposition.
Research highlights biodiversity's crucial link to micronutrient-rich seafood diets, essential in combating 'hidden hunger' and meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals. Preserving aquatic ecosystem biodiversity locally and globally is vital to fulfill nutritional requirements.
A new study has demonstrated a correlation between autism spectrum disorder and changes in the gut microbiome. The researchers found that individuals with autism exhibited differences in gut microbiome composition compared to neurotypical controls, with gastrointestinal symptoms being significantly higher in those with autism. Longitud...
A study by Elena Fedorova and colleagues found that Donald Trump's tweets about Russia caused noticeable depreciation of the rouble. The authors controlled for other variables such as oil prices and sanctions to isolate the impact of Trump's tweets on the exchange rate.
Researchers develop efficient method to extract protein from brewer's spent grain, producing up to 83% of original protein content. The process also yields a fiber-rich product suitable for conversion into fuels.
A team of scientists from UNIGE has identified a crucial role for a micro-peptide in determining the sperm that will fertilize an egg in Drosophila females. The peptide plays a key part in the competition between spermatozoa from different males, and its absence leads to reduced fertility in subsequent matings.
New research from the University of Kent and Warwick found that adolescents born preterm have the same levels of self-esteem and overall wellbeing as those born full-term. However, very preterm adolescents perceive their peer relationships as poorer than those born full-term.
A new study found that high-intensity exercise with induced ischemic leg pain improves walking performance and distance in people with peripheral artery disease. Participants who walked at a pace causing discomfort showed significant improvements in six-minute walk distance and treadmill time.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience found that aquatic ecosystems are a significant source of global methane emissions, accounting for at least half of the total methane emissions budget. Human activities such as agriculture, fertilization runoff, and aquaculture contribute to these emissions.
A University of Guam review finds conservation projects have lacked publishable results, revealing the need for adaptive management. The study highlights the importance of including published research scientists in funded conservation projects to generate new knowledge and inform decisions.
A Rice University study found that runoff from Houston's 2016 Tax Day flood and 2017's Hurricane Harvey flood carried human waste onto coral reefs more than 100 miles offshore. The research showed that even marine ecosystems far from shore can be affected by severe events, highlighting the need for increased monitoring and protection.
A new study reveals a strong association between insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and worsening disease symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Insomnia was found to be a common symptom in these patients, with waking up too early particularly associated with current suicidal thoughts.
Scientists from Tohoku University have developed a new fluorine-free calcium electrolyte that shows improved electrochemical performances. This breakthrough could lead to cost-effective and high-performance rechargeable calcium batteries as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
A study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found evidence linking pregnant women's exposure to phthalates to slower information processing in their 7.5-month-old infants. Males were more likely to be affected, especially when exposed to certain chemicals and unfamiliar faces.
Researchers at KAIST successfully produced carminic acid from glucose in engineered Escherichia coli, overcoming the need for complex purification processes and protein contaminants. The development of a generally applicable C-glucosyltransferase also enables the production of other valuable natural products.
Researchers found that populations of great tits can switch from one behavior to a more efficient alternative when group members are replaced with new birds. Fluid social groups were more likely to adopt the new behavior, allowing them to adapt to changing environments.
A retrospective study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that manual labor jobs contribute to higher rates of carpal tunnel syndrome. Researchers estimate the overall cost of carpal tunnel syndrome cases to be between $47,000 and $119,000, including healthcare costs and lost productivity.
A new study found that breastfeeding mothers who receive a COVID-19 vaccine can pass protective antibodies to their babies through breast milk, providing long-lasting immune protection. The research tracked antibody levels in breast milk over an extended period and confirms the potential immune benefit of breast-feeding infants after v...
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that simple fetal heartbeat monitoring is still the best method for determining whether a baby is in distress during delivery. Intermittent auscultation reduced the risk of emergency cesareans by an average 30% compared to other methods.
A new venomous snake species, Suzhen's krait, has been discovered in Southwestern China and Northern Myanmar. The snake is named after the mythical figure Bai Su Zhen from traditional Chinese mythology.
A new study reveals that Canada's 2016-2017 menthol cigarette ban led to significant increases in smokers attempting to quit, successfully quitting, and experiencing lower relapse rates. The study estimates an additional 923,000 smokers could quit if the US implemented a similar ban.
A Spanish study led by María José González found that homosexual men suffer from wage disadvantages compared to heterosexuals, even after controlling for sociodemographic differences. In contrast, partnered lesbians tend to earn more due to their socio-occupational profile.
A new deep neural network architecture can differentiate between healthy and diseased skin images with high accuracy, offering a potential screening tool for systemic sclerosis. The proposed network reached 100% accuracy in training and validation sets, outperforming traditional CNNs.
A recent poll suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a chance for older adults to discuss their healthcare wishes with loved ones, but many are still not taking action. Only 59% of respondents said they had discussed their preferences, and 46% had completed advance directives or powers of attorney. Despite these efforts, 1 in ...
Researchers found that Taiwan's unique approach, combining contact tracing, quarantine, social distancing, and facial masking, was crucial in containing COVID-19. This innovative strategy likely contributed significantly to the country's initial success in controlling the pandemic without strict lockdowns or school closures.
A new study found that preprints describing COVID-19 research were downloaded and accessed at unprecedented levels, with a striking change in the way research is accessed and communicated. Preprints are now being heavily used by reporters and policymakers, bringing active research closer to the general public.
Researchers discovered that pregnancy-related hormones significantly increase concentrations of CYP3A4, a key enzyme in drug metabolism. This finding has significant implications for managing medications during pregnancy and may provide insights into the development of new ADME-tox models.
Women with high-deductible health plans opted for long-acting reversible contraception devices more than those with other plans, increasing LARC use by 35% between 2013 and 2017. The study found that higher out-of-pocket costs before the ACA mandate severely inhibited women from using LARCs.
A large study found that COVID-19 survivors are at a higher risk of developing anxiety, mood disorders, stroke, dementia, and other neurological conditions. The study analyzed data from over 236,000 patients and estimated that one in three COVID-19 survivors developed a neurological or psychiatric condition within six months.
High-entropy carbides offer improved thermal and energy resistance due to their unique composition of multiple metals and carbon. TPU researchers successfully synthesized this material using a vacuum-free electric arc method.
During the COVID-19 state of emergency, Kawasaki disease primarily affecting children saw a notable rise in pediatric admissions in Japan. The study investigated transmission modes, revealing a potential link between droplet or contact transmission and disease development.
Researchers at the Dark Energy Survey combined data on matter distribution, galaxies, and galaxy clusters to refine estimates of dark matter and dark energy. This analysis provides more precise estimates of the average density of matter and its clumpiness, which are crucial parameters for understanding these mysterious substances.
A new study by NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing found that breast cancer survivors with high genomic test scores report higher overall fear and greater perceived consequences compared to those with low scores. Anxiety and emotional response to cancer are the best predictors of fear, explaining 58% of variance in fear of recurrence.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a hydrogel, known as 'brain glue,' that mimics the composition and mechanics of the brain. The gel has been shown to protect against loss of brain tissue after severe TBI and may aid in functional neural repair.
A new dynamic support system for 3D printing reduces waste by 35% and saves time by 40%. The system replaces traditional supports with a programmable surface made of moveable metal pins.
A new model has been developed to estimate the risk of SARS-CoV-2-related death among patients in the Veterans Affairs health care system, enabling healthcare professionals to prioritize vaccination strategies.
Researchers created a zebrafish model to study pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a rare genetic disease causing calcification in the retina and vascular system. The new model provides insights into the disease's mechanisms and identifies potential drug targets.
Diversifying seafood with multiple species can increase nutrient intake targets and reduce required portion sizes for key nutrients like calcium, iron, zinc, and fatty acids. However, this increased biodiversity also raises concerns about higher exposure to different heavy metals in various seafood species.
Researchers found that improved ranching management practices in regions like Brazil and the US can lead to substantial emissions reductions. The study analyzed 12 strategies for reducing beef production emissions worldwide and identified increased efficiency and enhanced land management as key factors.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that patients who had virtual 'urgent care' visits for upper respiratory infections were more likely to receive additional follow-up care compared to those with in-person visits. This contradicts the expectation that virtual care would reduce downstream visits and emergency department use.